Naturopathic Foundation's blogs are written by naturopathic doctors that work at Naturopathic Foundation's Health Clinic in Markham, Ontario. The blogs provide detailed information on how to prevent and treat disease.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

Fun in the Sun! - How to Avoid the Risk of Skin Cancer

Enjoying the sun and getting a tan can be health, but before you decide to go and enjoy the sun, there is some very important information to consider to minimize your personal skin cancer risk.

3 Main Types of Skin Cancer1) Basal cell
carcinoma:It is the most common form of
skin cancer, affecting 60,000 Canadians each year. In fact, it is the most
common of all cancers.

2) Squamous cell carcinoma:

This is the second
most common skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma, afflicts more than 20,000
Canadians each year. It arises from the epidermis and looks like the cells that
comprise most of the upper layers of skin. This type ofcancer may occur on all areas of the
body including the mucous membranes, but are most common in areas exposed to
the sun.

3) Malignant Melanoma:This is the most deadly
of all skin cancers. Over 5,000 people are diagnosed annually in Canada, with
more than 900 of those resulting in death. Early diagnosis is the key to
positive outcomes

These
are the Risk Factors

A Weakened Immune System. People
with weakened immune systems have a greater risk of developing skin cancer. Our
immune system is responsible for catching and killing Cancer Cells before they
actually turn into cancer in the body.Keeping your immune system up and running properly through diet,
lifestyle, and supplements has a positive impact on reducing your risk.

Lack Sweating. Sweating is the body’s way of releasing toxins that
have accumulated in the body.Lack
of sweating leads to a build up of toxins in the body.

Chemicals in Your Personal Health
Care Products. Many health care products that we use on a daily
basis come loaded with nasty chemical that have been directly related to
increase cancer risks.When these
chemicals react with the sun they greatly alter the natural terrain of the skin
by affecting our good flora, altering the pH balance of skin leading to a more
acidic environment which Cancer can thrive in, and altering the integrity of
our skins therefore weaken its barrier function.

A History of Sunburns. Having
had one or more blistering sunburns as a child or teenager increases your risk
of developing skin cancer as an adult. Sunburns in adulthood also are a risk
factor.Even
a single severe sunburn increases your risk of developing melanoma which is the
deadliest form of skin cancer; frequent severe sunburns doubles your lifetime
risk. When you see or feel your skin redden, take cover.Remember,
sunburns can also be dangerous for babies and toddlers, possibly leading to
dehydration and heat stroke.

Inadequate Vitamin D Levels. Having adequate Vitamin D status is actually shown
to be protective against cancer.Making sure that you get enough sunlight improves Vitamin D stores in
the body. The best time to stay out of the sun to avoid burning is between the
hours of 11:00am and 3:00pm. As long as the skin is not burnt, getting a bit of
sunshine and a gentle tan can go along way to improve your health and
well-being.

Fair Skin. Anyone,
regardless of skin color, can get skin cancer. However, having less pigment
(melanin) in your skin provides less protection from damaging UV radiation. If
you have blond or red hair and light-colored eyes, and you freckle or sunburn
easily, you're much more likely to develop skin cancer than is a person with
darker skin.

Use of Tanning Beds. Avoid!
Avoid! Avoid! People who use tanning beds are 2.5 times more likely to develop
squamous cell carcinoma and 1.5 times more likely to develop basal cell
carcinoma. Even occasional use of sun-beds, almost triples your chances of
developing melanoma. Research shows young people - including teenagers - are
especially sensitive to the UVR emitted from tanning booths.

A Family History of Skin Cancer. If
one of your parents or a sibling has had skin cancer, you may have an increased
risk of the disease.

A Personal History of Skin Cancer.

If you developed skin cancer once, you're at risk of
developing it again. Even basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas that have
been successfully removed can recur.

Exposure to Radiation. People who received radiation treatment for skin conditions such as eczema and
acne may have an increased risk of skin cancer, particularly basal cell
carcinoma.

Exposure to Certain Substances.Exposure to certain substances, such as arsenic, may
increase your risk of skin cancer.

Moles. People
who have many moles or abnormal moles called dysplastic nevi are at increased
risk of skin cancer. If you have a history of abnormal moles, watch them
regularly for changes.

Early Detection – What to Look for

Where skin cancer develops
- Skin cancer develops primarily on areas of sun-exposed
skin, including the scalp, face, lips, ears, neck, chest, arms and hands, and
on the legs in women. But it can also form on areas that rarely see the light
of day — your palms, beneath your fingernails or toenails, and your genital
area.

Skin cancer affects people of all skin tones,
including those with darker complexions. Its is a major misconception that if
you are of a darker skin you don’t have to worry.

Self Examinations - Paying attention to your skin is as sure way to increase your chances of early detection. While self exams are great they do not replace the eye of a trained professional. Regular total-body checkups with your Naturopathic Doctor are the best way to make sure your skin is healthy and stays that way. It is recommended that you check-in with your naturopathic doctor if you notice any of the following:

A persistent sore that takes more than 2 weeks to heal

A skin growth, mole, beauty mark or brown spot that has at least three of the following characteristics:

changes in texture

increases in size or thickness

is asymmetrical

is irregular in outline or border

is bigger than 6mm, the size of a pencil eraser

appears after age 21

Naturopathic Treatment for Skin Health

Naturopathic Medicine has many tools to aid patients in Cancer prevention and Cancer treatment. An individualized treatment plan that may include some of the following therapies listed below will have significant impact on quality of life , survival outcomes, and prevention:

Skin is the largest organ in our whole body. It is responsible for thousands of reactions that are vital to our health, so
take care of it! To learn more about what you can do to take care of your skin
and/or address any concerns you currently have contact Naturopathic Foundations
for an appointment.